Medical Equipment Rental in Costa Rica: A Complete Guide for Expats and Tourists
Everything US expats and tourists need to know about renting medical equipment in Costa Rica: hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks, and more. Same-day delivery, English-speaking support.
Medical Equipment Rental in Costa Rica: A Complete Guide for Expats and Tourists
Costa Rica is home to hundreds of thousands of US, Canadian, and European expats — and each year millions more visit as tourists. When a health situation arises, whether it's recovery from surgery, a chronic respiratory condition, or simply aging in place, access to quality medical equipment matters.
Hospital Express is Costa Rica's leading home medical equipment provider. We deliver same-day to most of the country, speak English, and have been helping expat families since 2010. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Why Rent Instead of Buy?
For short-term needs (post-surgery recovery, a visiting family member, a temporary respiratory condition), renting is almost always the better financial choice. Hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, and wheelchairs are expensive to buy and even harder to store or resell.
Renting gives you:
- Flexibility — rent for a week, a month, or longer
- Included service — delivery, setup, and maintenance at no extra cost
- No commitment — return when you no longer need it
- Full technical support — if the equipment malfunctions, we replace it
Equipment Available for Rent in Costa Rica
Hospital Beds
We carry manual, semi-electric, and fully electric hospital beds — the same models used in Costa Rica's best private clinics.
- Manual (3-position): head and foot adjustment with a hand crank. Most affordable option
- Semi-electric: electric head adjustment, manual foot. Best value for most recoveries
- Fully electric: all positions adjust at the touch of a button. Ideal for patients with limited mobility or long-term bedridden care
All rentals include: anti-decubitus mattress, side rails, IV pole, and overbed table. Delivery and installation included.
Wheelchairs
Whether you need a standard chair for a few weeks after an ankle fracture or a bariatric model for long-term use, we carry them all:
- Standard: lightweight, foldable, fits most adults
- Orthopedic (semi & full): better postural support, adjustable
- Bariatric: reinforced frames for up to 200 kg
- Transport chair: lighter, ideal for short outings with a caregiver
- Electric wheelchair: joystick-controlled, for patients who cannot self-propel
Oxygen Concentrators
If your doctor has prescribed supplemental oxygen for home use, an oxygen concentrator is the most cost-effective long-term solution.
- 5 LPM concentrator: suitable for most patients requiring low-to-moderate oxygen flow
- 10 LPM concentrator: for higher oxygen demands (COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, post-COVID)
- EverFlo (Philips): one of the quietest and most energy-efficient models on the market
Rental includes: delivery, installation, patient training, nasal cannula, and a preventive maintenance visit.
Oxygen Tanks
Oxygen tanks are ideal as a backup for concentrator users (power outages are rare but happen), for patients who need portability, or for short-term needs.
- Type E (portable): ~680 liters, with wheeled cart. Perfect for outings, travel within Costa Rica, or as an emergency backup
- Type M60: medium capacity, good balance of size and duration
- Type H (stationary): ~6,900 liters. Largest tank — ideal for continuous home use without a concentrator
Rental includes: regulator, flow meter, nasal cannula, and refills.
Other Equipment We Carry
- Nebulizers — for asthma, COPD, and pediatric respiratory therapy
- Suction machines — for patients who cannot clear secretions independently
- Anti-bedsore mattresses — medical-grade, to prevent pressure ulcers in bedridden patients
- Walkers, crutches, canes — for mobility recovery
- Bath chairs and toilet risers — essential for bathroom safety
- Patient lifts (Hoyer lifts) — for transferring patients with limited mobility
- Pulse oximeters and blood pressure monitors — for home vital signs monitoring
How Delivery Works
- Contact us via WhatsApp (+506 8777-7361) or call
- Tell us what you need and your address
- We confirm availability and pricing (usually takes minutes)
- We deliver — same day in most of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM)
For locations outside the GAM (Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Limón), we deliver within 24–48 hours depending on the area.
Coverage: Where We Deliver
Same-day delivery:
- San José (all cantons): Escazú, Santa Ana, Montes de Oca, Curridabat, Desamparados
- Alajuela (city and surroundings)
- Cartago (city and surroundings)
- Heredia (city and surroundings)
Next-day delivery:
- Liberia and the Northern Pacific (Guanacaste)
- Manuel Antonio / Quepos
- Limón city
- San Carlos / La Fortuna
Note for expats in beach/rural areas: We ship nationwide. Many expats in Tamarindo, Nosara, Uvita, or Dominical have received same-week delivery. Contact us and we'll give you an honest estimate.
Pricing
Prices are in Costa Rican Colones (CRC). As a reference point, at current exchange rates:
| Equipment | Typical Rental Period | Approx. USD Range | |---|---|---| | Hospital bed (manual) | Monthly | Starting ~$60/month | | Hospital bed (electric) | Monthly | Starting ~$120/month | | Wheelchair (standard) | Monthly | Starting ~$40/month | | Oxygen concentrator (5L) | Monthly | Starting ~$100/month | | Oxygen concentrator (10L) | Monthly | Starting ~$150/month | | Oxygen tank type E | Monthly | Starting ~$60/month |
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Contact us for an exact quote.
Do You Speak English?
Yes. Our team communicates fluently via WhatsApp in English. You can describe your needs, ask questions, and arrange delivery entirely in English. We have extensive experience working with the US and Canadian expat community.
Home Medical Services (Beyond Equipment)
Hospital Express is more than just equipment. We also coordinate:
- Home physician visits — licensed doctors with portable diagnostic equipment
- Home nursing — 8h, 12h, or 24h shifts; post-op care, wound care, medication administration
- Respiratory therapy — for children and adults; nebulization, spirometry
- Physical therapy — post-surgical rehabilitation at home
- Telemedicine — video consultations with our physicians, digital prescriptions
This is particularly valuable for expats who want high-quality care without navigating the public CAJA system.
Frequently Asked Questions from Expats
Can I rent equipment if I'm only in Costa Rica for 2–3 weeks? Absolutely. We offer short-term rentals with no minimum month requirement for most equipment. Contact us to confirm.
Do I need a local bank account or credit card? No. We accept cash (CRC or USD), SINPE Móvil, and major credit cards.
What happens if the equipment breaks down? We replace it, at no charge. Maintenance and technical failures are covered in all rental agreements.
Can you deliver to my vacation rental / Airbnb? Yes, provided we can access the property. We just need a contact number for coordination.
My doctor prescribed home oxygen in the US. Can you match the prescription? We always recommend confirming with a Costa Rican physician for liability reasons, but in practice we can often match a foreign prescription. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Contact Hospital Express
WhatsApp: +506 8777-7361 Email: contacto@hospitalexpress.net Location: Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica Hours: Mon–Fri 7:00am–5:00pm | Sat 9:00am–5:00pm | Emergency line 24/7
Hospital Express — Costa Rica's trusted medical equipment rental provider for expats, tourists, and families.